Airport Proposal Taking Off

Schaumburg's plan to buy and improve the state's busiest private airport will be ready for takeoff Tuesday, when the Village Board is expected to award a contract to redesign the Schaumburg Air Park.

Culminating years of planning, trustees are to award a Springfield company a $136,000 contract to change the airfield's face by enlarging its sole runway, plotting pavement markings, creating a parallel taxiway to the airstrip, and installing drainage and lighting systems.

"We are trying to preserve it as a general aviation airport because we feel it is an economic aid most communities don't have. It's going to make a difference for a major company to locate here. It's important. If we don't act on it, it's going to disappear," said Village President Al Larson

The crux of the entire deal, acquiring the airport's 104 acres, is still up in the air, but the village and its partner, the Schaumburg Park District, continue to work with property owners.

So far, a deal for 18 acres of land has been worked out, and other property is targeted through a condemnation suit filed several months ago, Village Manager George Longmeyer said.

"We will eventually get it through condemnation one way or another. The question is how much do we pay for it," Longmeyer said.

When and if the land changes hands, Village Transportation Planner Thomas Dabareiner said a predetermined design plan will let construction begin quickly after an agreement and federal funding are secured.

Meanwhile, Roselle is keeping watch over Schaumburg's intentions out of fear that new ownership could increase the number of flights and noise.

Gayle Smolinski, Roselle's new village president, wants significant representation on a commission Schaumburg will form to govern operations.

"I realize we are not putting up the money, but we are not going to get the benefits either. All of the traffic that comes in and out comes over Roselle," Smolinski said.

But Larson gave her little to hope for, saying Roselle's representation won't equal Schaumburg's because Roselle did not contribute financially.

Schaumburg plans to bring the airfield up to state and federal standards by widening the strip to 100 feet from 40 feet and extending its length to 3,800 feet from 3,000 feet.

The village has applied for federal money to cover 90 percent of the cost, estimated at up to $16 million, to buy and renovate the airport. The state will pick up 5 percent, with the village and park district paying the rest.

Dabareiner said the improvements are being done in the name of safety and will not allow the field to handle bigger aircraft. The airfield, just south of Irving Park Road on the Cook-Du Page County line, handles single-engine planes and some small twin-engine aircraft.